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42 


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< 


The 
GAY NINETIES 


T he 
GAY NINETIES 


A BOOK OF 
DRAWINGS 


by 
heavy. CULTER 


GARDEN CITY NEW YORK 
DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY 
1927 


~ 
COPYRIGHT, 1927, BY DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & 
COMPANY, COPYRIGHT, 1925, 1926, BY LIFE 
PUBLISHING COMPANY. ALL RIGHTSRESERVED. 
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES AT THE 
COUNTRY LIFE PRESS, GARDEN CITY, N. Y 


FOREWORD 
\® THE spring of 1925, Richard Culter came into the Life office with three drawings 


of scenes and people in the eighteen nineties. He submitted them to Robert Sherwood, 

the editor of Life, Frank Casey, the art editor, and myself, in the hope that they 
might develop into a series under the general heading, ““The Gay Nineties.” 

We liked Mr. Culter’s drawings enormously—I can’t imagine that anyone would fail to 
appreciate the perfection of his draughtsmanship or the complete truthfulness of his sub- 
jects; but we frankly doubted that “The Gay Nineties”? would appeal to a wide circle of 
our readers. 

Nevertheless, we published the three drawings—and have continued the series in Life 
ever since. It proved to be one of those rare features—so eagerly sought for by all harassed 
editors, and so infrequently found—which are characterized, in the jargon of our trade, as 
eure fire.” 

Doddering, decrepit veterans who have lived to the ripe old age of thirty-five, enjoy 
Mr. Culter’s drawings because they reflect, so honestly, the costumes and customs of their 
dear, dead youth. Children who have been born in this century relish “The Gay Nineties” 
because of their archeological interest—much as children of my generation were fasci- 
nated by reminiscences of the Civil War. 

Mr. Culter has the ability to reflect life in terms of humor, and he has succeeded in 
representing the Gay Nineties as really gay. Look through the pages of this book and study 
the people that Mr. Culter has drawn; even though you survey them from the eminence 
of 1927—even though you laugh heartily at their ludicrous attire, their ridiculous head- 
dresses—you will come to the conclusion that they must have had a thoroughly good time. 

Which, if memory has not utterly failed me, they did. 


M7 ED) 
, oy 


The 
GAY NINETIES 


VoHo Rr GrAGYs NWN E TU E:S 


: 
4 
i 
‘ 
4 


*‘THE REVEREND THADDEUS BAWLEM, IN A POWERFUL SERMON YESTERDAY, ATTRIBUTED THE FALLING 
OFF IN CHURCH ATTENDANCE TO THE NEW BICYCLE CRAZE,” ETC. 


2 THE GAY NINETIES 


PHINEAS HAS FALLEN FOR THE NEW “CAMERA FEVER” AND IS TRYING HIS HAND AT A FAMILY GROUP ALL 


DRESSED UP TO START TO CHURCH. ESTHER, ON THE EXTREME RIGHT OF THE GROUP, HAS JUST COME 
BACK FROM NEW YORK AND HER CAPE IS THE VERY LATEST AGONY. 


THE GAY NINETIES 


THE SUNDAY AFTERNOON FAMILY COUNCIL TO DECIDE THE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS WAY TO TURN THE 


OLD PLUM-COLORED POPLIN DRESS. 


THE GAY \ NIN EDIE S 


THE FELLOW WITH THE TANDEM BICYCLE WAS ALWAYS SURE TO BE POPULAR—BUT HE PAID DEARLY 
FOR HIS POPULARITY IN THE LONG RUN. 


THE GAY NINETIES 5 


OUTRAGED WOMANHOOD HOLDING AN IMPROMPTU INDIGNATION MEETING IN FRONT OF A BILLBOARD 

ADVERTISING THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO GLORIFY THE AMERICAN GIRL ON THE STAGE. ALSO SHOWING A 

HAPLESS MALE OF THE PERIOD ABOUT TO GO TO THE DEMNITION BOW-WOWS UNLESS SOMETHING IS 
DONE QUICKLY TO SAFEGUARD HIS MORALS. 


6 THE? GA VON ENE TIT.:s 


a 


head SKIES. 
BES AND TRIES 


Yee) 
ls 


‘ 


THE NIFTY LITTLE LIVERY STABLE “RIG,” WITH THE RED WHEELS AND RUBBER TIRES, WHICH WAS 

DATED UP FOR WEEKS IN ADVANCE. ALSO THE USUAL LIVERY STABLE HORSE WHO WANTED TO TURN 

UP EVERY SIDE STREET, AND 4LW4YS MANAGED TO GET HIS TAIL OVER A REIN JUST AS YOU WERE PASS- 
ING SOMEBODY YOU KNEW. 


re 


ee GAY N DONE TOE: s 


THE FLASHLIGHT PHOTOGRAPH CRAZE 


8 THE GAY (NINETIES 


bi 


THE SUNDAY AFTERNOON RIDE IN THE FAMILY SURREY WITH THE FRINGED TOP. RESTING THE HORSES 
AND EXERCISING THE CHILDREN ON THE HILL. 


TIMES "GAY NINETIES 


THE SINGING WAITER STARTING THE MAMMY SONG CRAZE 


“She lingered through the summer, 
But when the frost and snow— 
The bitter winds of winter 
Very quickly laid her low. 
She died in my embraces 
With spirits calm and brave 
And now a weeping willow 
Hangs silently o’er her grave. 


“TI often go to see her grave 
To keep the verdure green; 
And plant a spotless lily 
Upon the peaceful scene; 
And feel the satisfaction 
Of knowing—though she’s dead— 
I tried to do my duty—to— 
The words my Father said: 


CHorRuSs: 
“Stick to your Mother, John, 
When I am gone. 
Don’t let her worry, lad. 
Don’t let her mourn. 
Remember that she nursed you 
When I was far away. 
Don’t leave your Mother— 
When her hair turns gray.” 


1 fe) 


THE GAY NINETIES 


““HEY, MISTER! IS IT RAINING IN LONDON?” 
(A disciple of the new-style trousers with cuffs found a considerable demand upon his poise and fortitude.) 


yarn ee © GrASYe Ni PN Ee Ti Bes II 


7 
me: 
oe 
‘ 

i 
ah 


f 


SHOWING A JOLLY LITTLE BEACH PARTY WHOSE SWIM IS ABOUT TO BE RUINED BY A REPORT OF THE 
SIGHTING OF ANOTHER SEA SERPENT OFF THE JERSEY COAST. BUT GREAT AS WAS THE FEAR OF SEA 
SERPENTS IN THOSE HALCYON DAYS—THE FEAR OF SUNBURN WAS APPARENTLY GREATER. 


12 


THE GAY NINETIES 


WS ji 
XG 
fi 


N 
‘ 


HIS EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR, AND HIS STAFF COME TO TOWN. THOSE WERE THE DEAR OLD DAYS 
WHEN MEN WERE GOVERNORS, AND HORSEMANSHIP WENT HAND IN HAND WITH STATESMANSHIP. 


Tie “ss AY NIN E TPES 13 


THE VANGUARD OF STRAGGLERS, FROM THE ‘“‘CENTURY RUN” OF THE LOCAL BICYCLE CLUB, BEGINS 
TO DRIFT BACK INTO TOWN. 


T ROE: OG AW ONAN ESE EES 


HOUSEWIVES OF THE LATE NINETIES HOLDING A COUNCIL OF WAR ON THE H. C. OF L. THE GIST OF WHICH 

IS—-MY, MY, WHAT ARE THINGS COMING TO, ANYWAY! NOT ONLY HAVE EGGS GONE UP TO A PENNY EACH 

AND MILK TO SIX CENTS A QUART, BUT NOW THE MARKETS HAVE STOPPED GIVING AWAY SOUP GREENS 

WHEN YOU BUY A SOUP BONE. GOOD GRACIOUS, AT THIS RATE, PORTERHOUSE STEAK IS LIABLE TO REACH 
NINETEEN CENTS A POUND, AND EVERYBODY WILL HAVE TO DO WITHOUT IT. 


THE “GAY “NUNETIES 


AN UP-TO-THE-MINUTE DINING ROOM IN THE “‘NINETIES,’ SHOWING THE OLD-FASHIONED MAID-OF-ALL- 

WORK. HULDA NEVER COULD QUITE BE BROKEN OF THE HABIT OF LAUGHING UPROARIOUSLY AT THE 

JOKES OF THE GUESTS—BUT SHE WOULD WASH THE WINDOWS, TEND THE FURNACE, DO THE FAMILY 

WASH, AND CUT THE LAWN IN ADDITION TO THE REGULAR HOUSEWORK, ALL FOR TWELVE DOLLARS A 
MONTH. AND SHE STAYED IN THE SAME FAMILY FOR YEARS AND YEARS. 


16 THE GAY NINETIES 


THE PORTER OF THE BUFFET CAR ON THE LIMITED HAS JUST INFORMED TWO CONVIVIAL PASSENGERS 

THAT THEY ARE TRAVELING THROUGH A “‘DRY”’ STATE AND HE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SERVE ANY 

MORE HARD DRINKS FOR FIFTY-THREE MINUTES. THE REMARKS OF THE TWO C. P.’8. WHEN EXPURGATED, 

ARE TO THE EFFECT THAT THINGS HAVE COME TO A PRETTY PASS WHEN ANY BLANKETY BLANK LAW 

CAN DICTATE TO A FREE CITIZEN OF THIS ENLIGHTENED COUNTRY WHAT HE CAN OR CANNOT DRINK 
—ETC., ETC. 


DHE) GAY, (N-UGNGE TES 17 


A GROUP OF STERLING ATHLETES IN THE DAYS WHEN JAWN J. MCGRAW HARDLY HAD A PENNANT TO HIS 
NAME. BASEBALL, IN THOSE PRE-LANDIS DAYS, WAS PLAYED MOSTLY ACCORDING TO THE RULES LAID 
DOWN BY THE LATE MARQUIS OF QUEENSBERRY, AND UMPIRES WERE CONSIDERED LEGITIMATE PREY. 


18 


THES OACY) ONL Noe Eas 


A RED-LETTER SUNDAY 'S OUTING. TAKING THE NEW TROLLEY OUT PAST THE WATER WORKS TO THE END 
OF THE LINE AND BACK. THIS WAS NOT SO TAME AS IT SOUNDS; FOR, BETWEEN SWITCHES, THE WHINING, 
SWAYING, PITCHING TROLLEY OF THE NINETIES WAS REALLY THE DADDY OF THE HAIR-RAISING MODERN 
ROLLER-COASTER. AND WHEN IT HITCHED ITSELF PERILOUSLY AROUND A CORNER AT TOP SPEED IT WAS 
CONSIDERED PERFECTLY PROPER FOR LADIES TO SCREAM—IN FACT- IT WAS ALMOST COMPULSORY. 


‘ekel Gl Acy EN ieN, Eyl Ickes 19 


THE TURKISH-CORNER CRAZE. THESE ARTISTIC DUST-CATCHERS OF THE EARLY NINETIES WERE SUP- 
POSED TO BE TERRIBLY ROMANTIC AND ARE PROBABLY WHAT IS MEANT BY THE PHRASE—‘‘TURKISH 
” 
ATROCITIES. 


TiRDE 3° G AgY oON BNveeToT Ess 


20 


Nan ahaa 


urettn 


i 
4 
i 
i 

4h 
5 


OUR MODERN YOUNG MISS WITH THE ROLLED STOCKINGS AND BLATANT KNEES IS PROBABLY THE DAUGH- 


SKIRT WHEN THERE WASN’T 


33 


RAINY-DAISY 


6¢ 


TER OF THAT HUSSY OF THE NINETIES WHO WORE HER 


A CLOUD IN THE SKIES. 


21 


DHE GAY" NINETIES 


SHOW- 


IN THE NINETIES, 


FAMILIAR SCENE ALONG ANY ASPHALT STREET ON A NICE SUNDAY AFTERNOON 


ING A LADY TAKING UP THE NEW BICYCLE CRAZE IN A SERIOUS WAY. 


THE GAY. NINETIES 


Hi) seue 


f ganos oF@ 7") lool een 
4 THE qs vEAI 


TARIEF 


A TORCH-LIGHT PROCESSION IN THE DAYS WHEN A MAN’S POLITICS WERE IRREVOCABLY DECIDED BY 
HEREDITY. ONCE A DEMOCRAT, ALWAYS A DEMOCRAT-——AND JOINING THE OPPOSITION OR SPLITTING 
YOUR TICKET PUT YOU BEYOND THE PALE OF SOCIETY ALONG WITH MURDERERS AND HIGHWAYMEN. 


DE GAY. NON E Tee's 


ORR 


Cate) 

f Ah plat Pr 
- f ih : . 

/ te 


The Last Word in Compliments 


‘‘“WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH ETTA PURDY? SHE HARDLY SPOKE TO US.” 
*‘OH, SHE’S BEEN THAT WAY EVER SINCE SOMEBODY CALLED HER A GIBSON GIRL.” 


Tih EO GAY ONDA ETE Ss 


24 


ALSO THE LAST STAND OF A GOOD FIVE-CENT CIGAR. 


INDIAN 


THE LAST STAND OF THE AMERICAN 


THE GAY NINETIES 


ie i GRAND 
BS OPERK -Hayse 


‘ren se 


~ TEXAS ( 


Business Item—‘‘ LIVELY TRADING ON THE CURB TO-DAY AMONG COLLECTORS OF CIGARETTE ‘PITCHERS.’ 
OFFERS OF TWO LILLIAN RUSSELLS FOR A DELLA FOX HAVE BEEN REPORTED MADE AND REFUSED.” 


26 


TUBE (GACY) (NDNA EVE Tres 


A Gridiron Hero of the Mid-Nineties 


APPARENTLY PROWESS UPON THE FIELD OF BATTLE IN THOSE DAYS DEPENDED, LIKE SAMSON’S OF OLD, 
UPON ONE’S ABILITY TO DODGE THE BARBER. IN THE BACKGROUND WE HAVE THE APPROVED KLASSY 
KUT KAMPUS KLOTHES OF THE PERIOD. 


doo BG ALYs” Nel N E\T LES 27 


CHRISTMAS MORNING AT JAKE’S PLACE DOWN ON THE CORNER, WHERE HOT TOM AND JERRYS WERE 

“ON THE HOUSE” TO OLD CUSTOMERS. THIS SESSION USUALLY LASTED UNTIL SOMEBODY'S LITTLE WILLIE 

ARRIVED WITH THE MESSAGE, “‘MAMMA SAYS PAPA IS TO COME RIGHT STRAIGHT HOME—THE TURKEY'S 
ON THE TABLE.” 


TOHCE TG ALLA ONIN, Bales 


BEFORE BOX OFFICES BECAME MERE PLACES WHERE DOCTORS LEAVE THEIR NAMES IN CASE OF A CALL 
—IT WAS ALWAYS POSSIBLE FOR THE PROVIDENT THEATRE-GOER TO PURCHASE STANDING-ROOM TICKETS 
AND THEN TIP THE USHER A QUARTER, AFTER THE FIRST ACT, FOR A GOOD SEAT DOWN FRONT. 


29 


GAY “NINETIES 


THE 


” 


for sweet potatoes 
And shoot the Sealskin Sacque. 


We'll dig 


3 


“°Twas down by the Hackensack River, 
Where the hackman drives his hack; 


FOR THAT WAS BEFORE 


T MEAN MAYBE, 


? 


AND WHEN THEY SAID “‘SEALSKIN”’ IN THOSE DAYS THEY DIDN 


THE TIME WHEN MUSKRATS LIVED AS MUSKRATS AND DYED AS SEALS. 


THE GAY NINETIES 


30 


y / 
' 
1s 
\j 


$.AS Hts. 


é 


TONSORIAL PARLOR” IN THE DAYS WHEN SUCH PLACES WERE EXCLUSIVELY MASCULINE INSTITUTIONS 


ee 


A 


THAT WAS BEFORE THE RAZOR HAD BEEN MADE 


WHERE ANECDOTE AND TOBACCO JUICE RAN FREELY. 


AND THE FLOWERY NAMES ON THE PRIVATE SHAVING MUGS FORMED A ROSTER 


SAFE FOR DEMOCRACY, 


OF THE TOWN’S MOST SUBSTANTIAL CITIZENS. 


TE ]G AY NIN E.T LES 31 


Cl ~ 


dl KOSTER 


THE 
GREAT 


STRONGEST MAST 
TN RAE 1 
T> 


2 oT 


q 


cal 


a 


a —_— " ; an, ; gor 
See Tid IE Pon ROE) vf 4 Ppa 
Dh ricer Nad ee at ae 7 


NEW YEAR’S DAY CALLS. YOUNG BLOODS OF THE NINETIES GOING THE ROUNDS OF THE PUNCH-BOWLS 
IN A LIVERY STABLE RIG HIRED FOR THE OCCASION. 


TREE WG AVY ON aN SE STS eS 


32 


SOMETHING JUST EVERLASTINGLY WHOOPING THINGS 


A GROUP OF THE ALUMNI OF THE CLASS OF NINETY- 


THOSE WERE THE DAYS WHEN COLLEGE BOYS WERE ONE HUNDRED PER CENT. HELLIONS—-ASK ANY 


UP 


OLD GRAD. 


Tete GAN NIE TOES 33 


a : 


HORS 


Fn land Heme ain: 


lecas) 


j 


THE FEVERISH CLIMAX OF A WILD EVENING—GETTING “‘HOME”’ THE LAST MAN FOR THE PARCHESI 
CHAMPIONSHIP 


THE GAY NINETIES 


34 


A GODSEND TO THE COMIC ARTISTS 


-——-THE SURE-FIRE LAUGH-GETTER OF THE NINETIES. 


33 


THE “DUDE 


AND A WOW ON ANY STAGE, 


OF THE DAY, 


THE GAY NINETIES 35 


THE BAMBOO PORTIERES, A SOCIAL HAZARD OF THE FESTIVE NINETIES WHICH, SOONER OR LATER, MAN- 
AGED TO TRAP EVEN THE WARIEST. 


PH Ge aA Ae ONE eT ae 


ro | 
iit 

DR 
a 
‘ } 


! teal Mihoek: ae 
i BY aaa oclug 
Loe ae 


A Sporting Event of the Nineties 


THE RACE FOR THE MAGNUM OF CHAMPAGNE OFFERED BY THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CASINO IN CENTRAL 
PARK TO THE ARRIVALS IN THE FIRST SLEIGH OF THE SEASON. 


a 


CACY 2° N°TeN ET og-s 


THE 


APPY PAIR HAD BEEN TINTYPED 


NINETIES WAS COMPLETE UNTIL THE H 
K HOME. 


NO HONEYMOON OF THE EARLY 


E EDIFICATION OF THE FOLKS BAC 


t 


FOR T 


POM BOL YON DT Nee eb Bes 


THE DINKY LITTLE GILT CHAIR WITH THE MENDED LEG WHICH SOMEHOW OR OTHER SEEMED TO BE 


OF THOSE FESTIVE DAYS. 


STANDARD EQUIPMENT IN EVERY FORMAL “PARLOR” 


Onn Oe a 


©REY GAY CNN ETYT.ES 


PLUS THE BICYCLE CLIPS DEMANDED BY THE FEMININE TRADE, ROBBED 


THE PREVAILING MODE IN SKIRTS, 


THE BOOTBLACK BUSINESS OF MUCH OF THE GLAMOUR IT ENJOYS TO-DAY. 


NINES DES 


GAY 


wink 


a4 
\ 
< 
i 
| 


oe 


- HANDSOME WAS AS HANSOM DID. 


GALLS? Na Nee PIES 


THE 


saune 


Liv 


§ 
| 
% 
5 
i 
‘ 
H 
é 
r) 


Sa aS 


oer coat 


s enenanideintaiiad 


THE 


50 A TON, 


E DECALCOMANIA MANIA 


WHEN ANTHRACITE WAS STEADILY CLIMBING TO $4. 


YOUNGER GENERATION SUDDENLY BROKE OUT WITH TH 


BACK IN THE EARLY WELSBACH ERA, 


THE GAY NINETIES 


ery 
APN re ton enn, 
aan ee 


~ee 
“5 BESS cue 


THE GIBSON TABLEAU 


THE GAY NINETIES 


-A FAMILY LIABILITY IN THE BUXOM NINETIES—THE DAUGHTER WHO IS TOO SLENDER EVER TO BE 


STYLISH. 


GA YR N UNE Tees 


TL EOE 


A WELCOME HARBINGER OF SPRING IN THE HOPELESSLY UNLEGISLATED NINETIES. 


45 


Wetiaks 7G AS Ye ONSLINY ESTE s 


ress ee 
v Lee 
2 ~ MM eA BS 


WAS THE DAY THE CARPET LAYER ARRIVED 


IN THE INLAID BRUSSELS PERIOD, 
BUT THE WONDER OF WONDERS WAS-—HOW HE COULD NEGOTIATE A MOUTHFUL OF 


A HIGHLIGHT OF CHILDHOOD, 


TO DO THE PARLOR. 


SHARP TACKS AND A CHEW OF TOBACCO AT THE SAME TIME AND STILL REMAIN IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING. 


THE GAY NINETIES 


CON- 


—THE EVENT OF THE 


6é 


9 


SALES PSYCHOLOGY 


“e 


WHEN THE BUSINESS WORLD HAD NOT YET INVENTED 
AND 


9? “PUNCH 3? 
’ 
DAY WAS THE RETURN OF THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY FOR MID-DAY DINNER AND A NAP. 


PEP, 


AND SUCH TERMS AS “ 


BEFORE THE DAYS OF THE QUICK LUNCH, 


FERENCES”’ 


THE GAY NINETIES 


“ae 
Pak Ewe 


: seh et 
Seen a TEN 


Ca Sansa 


ome 


PIT: tame 


sagen aT cena 


Se ODT 
ey “ 


- erent 
ee ee hist ants 


9? 


inn. 


im Herzen, 
im S 


ar 
ir 


liegst mt 
liegst m 


du 
du 


“Du, 
Du, 


A 


Ty HOE TG ACY "ON EN EES s 


3 


Me 
D 


Sa 


SS 


4 i 
ptt 
a tated aoe ¥ my. 


a aoe 


f 


am 


AA Sy 
a 


LEG” 


THE GUEST WHO INADVERTENTLY USED THE WORD “‘ 


E NINETIES 


A SOCIAL HAZARD IN THE NIC 


LIMB. 


ce 


INSTEAD OF 


24 ae 


T BEEN WARNED! I TOLD HIM ONLY YESTERDAY THAT A BODY WAS 


> 


ere tt SAL Ne ot eho 


T AS THOUGH HE HADN 


AND IT ISN’ 
A FOOL TO CHANGE FROM THEIR ANKLE 


ce 


: o =) pews. ‘~~ ae 2 * 
panei Wadia 


meta ar mde eA pnts oo 


KNEE-LENGTH MEDIUMS AT THIS 


-LENGTH HEAVIES TO THEIR 


TIME OF YEAR.” 


TE SoG AY OO NG NM BUT de oss 


i tty er tae 
pst encase 


= eet 


S LATEST INVENTION. 


’ 


EDISON 


THE NEIGHBORS DROP IN TO HEAR MR. 


SI 


Bt ri 4 


ION CP ee tt 


ioe EE aGAcyow NIN ET LES 


a Lal 


-A-TETE CHAIR AND THE DANCE PROGRAM WITH ITS LITTLE PENCIL ON A SILKEN CORD—TWO 


ETE 


THE TE 


FINE OLD INSTITUTIONS THAT HAVE GONE TO JOIN THE DODO BIRD. 


52 THE GANT SN aero eS 


= 


< ” 
eee > 


ry 

a 

’ 

= | 

es 5 

3 ct 

4 4 
o 


Sos eae Ee eee 


rae 


7 mm ee. 


A MIXED FOURSOME IN THE DAYS WHEN THE FAIRWAYS THEMSELVES, PLUS THE USUAL STRAY COW, 
WERE THE ONLY HAZARDS NECESSARY. 


me 


orien. GASY 2 ONTNeE T DES 


IN AUTOMOBILES PROVE IMPRACTICAL. 


REAR DOORS 


THE} GAY  N PNET LES 


THE AUTOGRAPH ALBUM PEST-——ONE OF THE WORST SOCIAL HAZARDS OF THE NINETIES. THERE IS MANY A 
DIGNIFIED BANK PRESIDENT TO-DAY WHOSE SIGNATURE GRACES SUCH SENTIMENTAL GEMS AS— 


When you are married 
And live upstairs, 

Don’t be like other folks 
And put on airs. 


I take my pen into my hand 
And grasp your album tight; 
But ’pon my soul I cannot think 

One single thing to write. 


Remember me is all I ask 
This simple boon of thee; 

And let it be an easy task 
To sometimes think of me. 


When land and sea divide us 
And you no more I see, 
Remember it was Harry 
Who wrote these lines to thee. 


I wish you much, 
I wish you plenty, 

I wish you a husband 
Before you are twenty. 


When you're under the ground 
And your bones are all rotten, 
It is my sincere wish 
That you'll not be forgotten. 


55 


BIE GAY "NI NE:T LES 


RRS AY TT Hy” 


We 


Fo a Ninn am ong 


METRES Ty) 


NH ype IVE 


ye ey SIMSRUANALI LANG. MW). 


sh 


TTT OAS 
Tartan LS 

eer eer tT 

Te via tay 


ee een a 


fy Retew 


os meas) 
Sr 


NINETIES. 


S LEGS—-A REGULAR ERRAND OF CHILDHOOD IN THE DAMPISH 


2 


LOOKING FOR FATHER 


THHTE SG AGYS VN IENC EST TSESS 


BORING IF 


ANY, A 


“THIRTY LOVE!” “pEucE!” “YOUR SERVE, DEAREST!’ NO SPORT WILL EVER KNOW MORE HEROIC PIO- 
NEERS THAN THE BILL TILDENS OF THE NINETIES WHO HAD TO PASS THE LIVERY STABLE IN FULL 
TENNIS REGALIA. 


T-BrEs GAY NT NSE«l- lS 


A SNAPSHOT OF A WILD PICNIC IN THE PINKISH-PURPLE NINETIES WHICH SHOWS CONCLUSIVELY THE 
DEMORALIZING INFLUENCE OF THAT INVENTION OF THE DEVIL—THE BICYCLE—-UPON THE YOUNGER 
GENERATION. 


TEE *«+GAY ON LN ET PES 


-CARS, 


WHAT WITH DODGING CABLE 


AND EVEN THE NIGHT DID NOT BRING PEACE AND SECURITY, 


THERE WAS NOTHING TAME ABOUT CITY LIFE IN THE GAY NINETIES, 


HANSOMS, 


FOR 


THIS TWO-FACED ARTICLE OF FURNI- 


AND BICYCLES ALL DAY. 


THEN CAME THE GAMBLE WITH DEATH VIA THE FOLDING BED. 


TURE—WHICH DURING THE DAY POSED AS AN 


INNOCENT CUPBOARD OR PIER GLASS—-HAD A TREACH- 


EROUS WAY OF SUDDENLY DECIDING IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT TO CLOSE UP AND RESUME ITS MASQUERADE. 


ONLY THE CHANCE OF YOUR MUFFLED CRIES BEING HEARD BY A WAKEFUL NEIGHBOR 


IN WHICH CASE, 


EARLY GATES. 


STOOD BETWEEN YOU AND THE P 


WES GAY N UNE PDE S 


THERE WAS ONE ADVANTAGE IN LIVING DURING THE BICYCLE ERA. A REALLY NICE GIRL IN THE NONE-~ 
TOO-SAFE NINETIES DIDN’T HAVE TO WALK HOME. 


THE GAY NINETIES 


Saige etree 
ance eee 


ene 


FAO M0 wna rey Te 6 
pan alin ncaey, A. 
See 
me wen p 


AIO oN Se 
ars areata 


FOR IT 


HEART COULD MANAGE TO STAY TONGUE-TIED AFTER 


THE BALLOON SLEEVE FASHION WAS A GREAT BOON TO THE YOUNG LADY WITH A TIMID SWAIN. 


WAS INDEED A HOPELESS CASE IF ANY FAINT- 


“PLEASE STUFF MY SLEEVES IN.” 


COMPLYING WITH THE REQUEST, 


THE GAY NINETIES 


BUT THE COURTING 


MARRIAGES—IN THE CAREFUL NINETIES—-WERE SUPPOSED TO BE MADE IN HEAVEN. 


EARTH. 


UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A LYNX-EYED CHAPERON RIGHT HERE ON 


HAD TO BE DONE 


THE GAY NINETIES 


THE STYLES OF THE DAY SOMETIMES PROVED A FACTOR IN THE POPULAR GAME OF CROQUET. FOR IN- 

STANCE, THE MODISH LADY IN THE FOREGROUND, IN STROLLING ABOUT AWAITING HER TURN TO PLAY, 

HAS HAPPENED TO DRAG HER SKIRT ACROSS THE BALL, LEAVING IT—-BY THE MEREST PRANK OF FATE— 
IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION FOR HER NEXT WICKET. 


THE GAY NINETHIE'’S 


-GALLON SHAKERS AND AMBISEXTROUS DRINKING IT IS HARD TO CONCEIVE THAT 


IN THESE DAYS OF FIVE 


-FOUR-CORNERS NINETIES THE FEW HOSTS WHO BOTHERED TO SERVE THE 


DURING THE SALOON-ON-ALL 


STUFF AT ALL MIXED ONLY ENOUGH COCKTAILS TO PROVIDE ONE EACH FOR THE MALE GUESTS. 


THE GAY NINETIES 


EVERY YOUNG GIRL IN THE NINETIES WENT THROUGH THE ART STAGE, JUST AS SHE WENT THROUGH 

MEASLES AND WHOOPING COUGH. BUT INSTEAD OF LEAVING HER WITH IMPAIRED EYESIGHT OR FALLING 

HAIR, THE MALADY LEFT THE HOUSEHOLD HOPELESSLY BURDENED WITH A HETEROGENEOUS COLLECTION 

OF CIGAR-BAND ASH-TRAYS, BERIBBONED HAND-PAINTED PIN CUSHIONS, SCENIC FIRE SHOVELS, GILDED 

ROLLING PINS, COPIES OF GIBSON DRAWINGS, AND ELABORATE BURNT-LEATHER PILLOWS. OH, THOSE 
WERE THE ARTY DAYS. 


THE GAY NINETIES 65 


ae 
ESAS 


i 


me) 


ed 


uy x. 
R ss 
i 
oe 


AGAIN THE WOMEN’S FASHIONS OF THE DAY BECAME A FACTOR OF IMPORTANCE WHEN THE BE-GOGGLED, 
GAUNTLETED, LINEN-DUSTERED AUTOMOBILIST GOT DOWN TO HIS LAST MATCH IN TRYING TO LIGHT 
THE ACETYLENE HEADLIGHTS IN A HIGH WIND. 


THE GAY NINETIES 


BEFORE THE DAY OF THE SOCIAL REGISTER ONE COULD TELL WHO WAS WHO IN A TOWN BY THE FRONT 

LAWNS. FOR INSTANCE—-A LAWN CUT UP BY MERE STAR-AND-CRESCENT FLOWER-BEDS MEANT COM- 

FORTABLE RESPECTABILITY. THE ADDITION OF A RUSTIC TRIPOD WITH A KETTLE OF GROWING FLOWERS 

WAS ANOTHER STEP UP THE SOCIAL LADDER-—BUT AN IRON STAG ADDED TO THESE MEANT POSITIVE 
AFFLUENCE. 


THE GAY NINETIES 67 


os 


“BETTER SELL THAT TIE, NEWT; ITLL NEVER GET ANY HIGHER!” CHIRPED THE SMART CRACKER OF 
THE BON-MOTTY NINETIES WHEN SOMEBODY'S NECKWEAR SLIPPED ITS MOORINGS ON THE BACK COLLAR 
BUTTON AND STARTED UPWARD ON A TOUR OF ADVENTURE. 


RE SG AGE STNG ec eee 


/ 


“The Bowery, the Bowery 


They say such things and they do such things 


/ 


On the Bowery ! the Bowery 
Til never go there any more 


y?? 


Pity Ey GAY’ NOUN E*TIZE S 


aoe 


Eik el 
a 


rt 


Bi 


S25: 


1 


LL JUST HAVE A LITTLE CELERY TONIC 


6649 
I 


WHAT HAS BECOME OF THE FELLOW WHO USED TO SAY, 


THE GAY NINETIES 


BACK IN THE HALCYON DAYS WHEN “THE SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK”’ WAS A POPULAR SONG INSTEAD 

OF A POLITICAL SLOGAN, THE BUSINESS DAY OF SMALL TOWNS WAS PERIODICALLY INTERRUPTED BY THE 

CLARION STRAINS OF “‘TA-RA-RA BOOM-DE-AY”” AND “‘A HOT TIME IN THE OLD TOWN TO-NIGHT.”” WHERE- 

UPON EVERYBODY—ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO OWNED HORSES PARKED NEAR MAIN STREET—WOULD RUSH 
OUT TO WATCH THE MINSTREL PARADE PASS BY. 


71 


THE GAY NINETIES 


LIVE-AND-LET-LIVE’” NINE- 


Se gs aa 


¢ 


‘ 


RUSHING THE GROWLER.” (“A 


!’”) THIS INCONSPICUOUS PORTAL OF CHEER 


S AND OVERRASH INDIVIDUALS WHO-——IN AN UNGUARDED 


73 


S WASHING BY 


GUS, AND NOT TOO MUCH COLLAR THIS TIME 


> 


THE DOORWAY WITH THE HOMEY TITLE,:UP,.EVERY SIDE STREET IN THE 
WHERE THE FAIR SEX COULD OFFSET A HARD DAY 


TIES, 


PINT OF DARK, 


WAS ALSO A BOON TO HUSBANDS OF W. C. T. U.’ 


MOMENT—HAD SWORN OFF. 


THE GAY NINETIES 


72 


? 


$ CABIN’ 


UNCLE TOM’ 


66 


THE ROAD COMPANIES OF 


ACTOR FOLKS BEFORE THE DAYS OF BOOKING AGENCIES. 


ICE. 


OFTEN TRAVELED ON VERY THIN 


MomMy Es SGeAVY, GON ION? E Til ES 


pprasttgel® 


i 

a 
: 
‘ 
é 


taal Cdl 
eee at 


ee 


EM” 


3 


SHE-WEARS- 


-JUST-KNOW- 


“vou 


IN THE 


NINETIES THE GALLANT LOVER HAD TO FIGHT COLD STEEL 


TO WIN HIS LADY FAIR. 


THE GAY NINE TIES 


g) 


BRAVE PTE it 
Ba ant 8 
net fh Be th oe 


TSA 


+f 


Os al 


eS 
es Reena 


cent a al 


PESTERED PILOTS OF THE PRESENT CAN BLAME THIS PIONEER PERIOD FOR PROPAGATING THAT POISON- 
OUS PESSIMIST OF THE JOY RIDE—-THE BACK-SEAT DRIVER. 


T°HLEY (G-AVY? NUN E T1ES 7 


THE WORLD’S FAIR AT CHICAGO INTRODUCED TO A STARTLED WORLD LA BELLE FATIMA, THE ORIGINAL 
“LITTLE LA-DEE WITH THE MAH-VELL-IOUS MUSCLE CONTROL” IN HER FAMOUS COUCHIE-COUCHIE—A 
DANCE WHICH SOMEHOW PROVED MUCH MORE POPULAR WITH THE MALE POPULATION THAN WITH HER 
OWN SEX. AND THE TIN-PAN ALLEY OF THE PERIOD CASHED IN ON THIS POPULARITY WITH THE SONG* 


“She never saw the ‘Streets of Cairo,’ 
To the ‘Midway’ she had never been; 
She never danced the ‘Couchtie-Couchie,’ 
Simple little country maid.” 


THE GAY NINETIES 


BACK IN THE THROW-AWAY-THE-KEY NINETIES MR. RAINES PUT OVER THE BRIGHT IDEA IN NEW YORK 

THAT MEALS ON SUNDAY SHOULD HAVE THE SAME LIQUID STIMULUS AS THOSE DURING THE WEEK. 

WHEREUPON, PROMPTLY AT MIDNIGHT SATURDAY, AN ALLEGED SANDWICH APPEARED UPON EACH LITTLE 

TABLE OF THE COZY ROOM BEHIND THE BARS, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO DO VALIANT DUTY AS THE “MEAL” 

UNTIL MONDAY MORNING. AND MANY A DULL SUNDAY WAS BRIGHTENED FOR THE SERIOUS DRINKERS 

BY SOME OUT-OF-TOWNER WHO MISINTERPRETED THIS SOP-TO-THE-LAW AND TOOK THE PROPERTY 
SANDWICH AT ITS FACE VALUE. 


THE GAY NINETIES 


ONCE 


STRANGELY FAMILIAR VOICE AND PICCA- 


THE CHILDREN OF THE NINETIES DID NOT HAVE TO TAKE THEIR SANTA CLAUS ON MERE HEARSAY. 


A YEAR THIS PERSON OF MYSTERY, 


WITH MISPLACED OBESITY, 


IN EVERY HOME AND WAS A GREAT SUCCESS WITH EVERY ONE BUT 


THE CHILDREN THEMSELVES 


APPEARED IN PERSON 


DILLY SHOES, 


THE GAY NINETIES 


Prine tte dG 


YOU MUST BE MORE CAREFUL. JUST NOW WHEN YOU STEPPED INTO THE CARRIAGE I COULD 


““MY DEAR, 


23 


SEE CLEAR UP TO YOUR SHOE TOPS 


FRE GAY NINETIES 


Yee ee ae 
* pS POPE TER 


BACK IN THE HALLOWED CUT-GLASS ERA THE WILY ANIMAL-SKIN RUG WITH THE MOUNTED HEAD LAY IN 
WAIT FOR THE UNWARY IN EVERY HOME OF AFFLUENCE AND PROBABLY CLAIMED MORE VICTIMS IN 
DEATH THAN IT EVER DID IN LIFE. ITS TATTERED EARS, BUSTED EYES, AND MISSING TEETH TESTIFIED 
TO MANY YEARS OF DAILY CONTACT WITH GRANDPA’S BOOT, AND IF MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD 
COULDN’T SEEM TO AVOID IT—-WHAT CHANCE HAD THE HAPLESS STRANGER WITHIN THEIR GATES? 


PH. EY GAY aN TNE 2 Es 


80 


? 


WHAT HAS BECOME OF THE GIRL WHO USED TO SHINE HER SHOES ON THE BACK OF HER STOCKING 


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